I stayed at the Renaissance in Dec of 1999 and was very pleased. The beach is ok- we had "Christmas trade winds" so it was pretty windy but we kyaked. It is very close to Coki beach so you can walk there and that beach is really nice and snorkling was good. We were in building 21 which was island view looking out over St John The buildings go up a hill and to get to the beach/lobby/pool you need to walk up and down the hill so I recommend lower on the hill. There are 3 restaurants the one by the pool has good casual food for lunch. Smugglers steak house has a really wonderful Champagne brunch on Sunday and the Baywinds had really good breakfast and dinner like a cheesburger or really good salmon. The hotel is not far from Red Hook and there are good restaurants and bars there too. The ferry to St. John is in Red Hook. The Deli in Red Hook is really good to pick up food. Hotel Staff was helpful and our room was clean. I'm going back in February of 2002 and intend to drink Bushwackers while laying on the hammocks on the beach! Hope you have a good trip.

Thanks so much, that was very helpful...we will be there for Thanksgiving and I can't wait!